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The 15 technical college programs with the best placement rate on the labour market*

Are you re-orienting your career or thinking of going back to school? To give you ideas on what direction to pursue, here are 15 technical programs that registered the best placement rate on the labour market in 2013. Generally, college technical training has an excellent work prospective for its graduates with an average placement rate of 93.1%.

1- Biomedical Analysis Technology

Passionate about research with a devotion to detail and accuracy, graduates of this program conduct laboratory analysis and all tasks related to the analysis process (preparing equipment and samples, interpreting and communicating results, etc.). They collaborate in research and development work and thereby contribute to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They are key players in the proper functioning of medical research in Québec!

Placement rate: 100 %

Current shortage of graduates

2- Pre-hospital Emergency Care

A great option for those who are physically fit and prefer field-based action! Daily, ambulance technicians must act in emergency situations, assess the condition of the people they meet, proceed with first aid measures to prevent further deterioration of their condition and transport them to the appropriate hospitals. It is a profession that can be demanding not only physically, but also psychologically, because it requires good communication skills, judgment and a capacity to react quickly and appropriately in emergency situations.

Placement rate: 98 %

4A driver’s licence required.

3- Interior Design

Do you believe that interior design is synonymous with interior decorating? Actually, it is a much more complex profession requiring strong interpersonal skills, creativity and the ability to sell. Interior designers are able to design and propose functional and aesthetic interior layouts and to coordinate layout work by making sure that it meets the standards. Projects are varied (residential, commercial, industrial buildings and public institutions) as are employers (developers, Interior design companies, architectural firms, the self-employed, etc.).

Placement rate: 97 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

4- Youth and Adult Correctional Intervention

Are you interested in aid relationships? As a graduate of this program, you will work in preventing delinquency as well as in social reintegration. You will directly intervene daily with youth and adults mainly in a closed institutional environment (correctional centers, drop-in centers, youth centers, prevention and rehabilitation centers, halfway houses, schools, etc.). Being already involved with youth during studies promotes job placement later.

Placement rate: 97 %

5- Mechanical Engineering

Were you a fan of Lego or of miniature models when you were young? Push that passion for construction a little further with the Mechanical Engineering Techniques program! At the end of your studies, you will know how to design various mechanical components, plan their production and ensure quality control. A good knowledge of English, knowledge of welding techniques and the ability to view in three-dimensional are assets that promote the placement of graduates.

Placement rate: 96 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

6- Child Education

Did you love your experience as day camp monitor when you were teenager? Then this program might be the one for you. The child care worker’s main task is to create a living environment conducive to the psychomotor, physical, cognitive and language development of children 12 and under. To do this type of work, it is necessary to be in good physical condition, tolerate noise, be mature and have good listening skills as well as being ready to work on varied schedules.

Placement rate: 96 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

7- Nursing

The third most popular program, all sectors combined in CÉGEP (11,106 students in 2013), nursing still enjoys an excellent placement rate on the labour market. The demand is very high in hospitals that are still experiencing a shortage of graduates, but nurses can also work in a variety of working environments, such as community organizations, CLSCs, pharmaceutical companies, prisons, health services in schools and businesses, etc. The profession requires membership in «l’Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec» and highly recommends a strong resistance to stress, ability to work on a team and the capability of rapidly making decisions.

Placement rate: 96 %

8- Dental Hygiene

A professional in oral health and right arm to the dentist, the dental hygienist is both a practitioner and an educator. In addition to assisting the dentist and performing several related tasks, such as taking x-rays, scaling and polishing teeth, he/she also participates in preventing mouth infections and promoting good oral health with patients. To practice this profession the graduate must be a member of «l’Ordre des hygiénistes dentaires du Québec».

Placement rate: 95 %

9- Business Management

If management, communication, marketing and sales interest you, here is an interesting option! Although graduates of the program are trained to work primarily in retail stores and businesses specializing in the sale of products and services, assuming responsibilities linked to managing the business and of supervising sales teams, the types of jobs vary. Therefore, found among the graduates of this program are advertising consultants, sales directors or representatives, marketing managers, buyers, etc. Please note that mastering English is a highly sought-after skill in these areas.

Placement rate: 95 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

10- Special Education

Another field in aid relationships where the placement rate is very high, the Special Education Program trains workers to react quickly with persons having difficulties to adapt or persons with social integration problems, physical and psychological disabilities, mental health issues and health related problems. The workers deal with people of all ages, often directly and in times of crisis, thus becoming a key resource person for those in difficulty. Special Education is a field that is emotionally challenging but very gratifying!

Placement rate: 94 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

11- Industrial Electronics Technology

This program is for people interested in the practical application of science (mathematics and physics), possessing good manual dexterity, but who also like to work with a computer and are passionate about high-tech. Graduates of the program can develop and draft plans as well as undertake electrical projects in the distribution, management and utilization of electrical energy for scientific, industrial, commercial and residential purposes. Opportunities are numerous and students can pursue their studies in engineering at a university.

Placement rate: 94 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

12- Architectural Technology

Does the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona impress you? And if you have an interest in technical drawing and the building industry, new construction and renovation sectors, and are able to design spaces in 2D and 3D, take a look at this program! In the Architectural Technology Program, you will learn to get involved in the construction, maintenance, renovation and recycling of buildings, to draw up plans using appropriate software, to participate in the design of technical construction details, including research and analysis of technical information and to ensure supervision of projects.

Placement rate: 93 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

13- Computer Science Technology: Business Informatics

Programmer analysts, all businesses need them today! The demand is especially strong in the field of development of communication applications for growing businesses. Technologies evolve at a rapid pace and the sector being in constant evolution creates a demand for new innovative, user-friendly and interactive products. Please note that the Computer Science Technology program contains three areas of specialization: Administrative data processing, Industrial data processing and network management.

Placement rate: 92 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

14- Multimedia Integration

The multi-media integrator is the one who assembles material on the computer from the computer graphics designer, editor, sound, image and video designers to produce a multi-media application which will be broadcast on the internet. He/she is present from the start to the end of the production process: checks the technical feasibility of the project, participates in the creation, gathers audio, visual and animated elements and controls the quality of the document. The occupation requires creativity, an interest in new technologies and an ability to adapt to change.

Placement rate: 91 %

Some CÉGEPs offer the work-study program.

15- Accounting and Management

This is the ideal program for those who are interested in figures, business, management and who possess strong work ethics and a methodical mind. The technical program of accounting and management will teach you to record company operations and transactions, manage and use information within a company, plan and control its budgetary activities and its projects as well as to undertake middle management level responsibilities in its administration. Workplaces are varied and the placement rate is high.

Placement rate: 91 %

Are you interested in one of these techniques? Click here for a list of the 48 CÉGEPs in Québec with the coordinates of each.

* According to the last available number in 2013, for programs with more than 1000 students enrolled.